Hraun Restaurant

The Snæfellsjökull glacier is 1446m above sea level. The glacier is an active volcano, having been built up through numerous eruptions during the last 800,000 years. Many believe the glacier to be one of the seven main energy centres of the earth and its mystique is noticed by many. The glacier plays big role as the Center of the Earth in the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) by Jules Verne. Snæfellsjökull is a part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park which was established on June 28, 2001. The Park's purpose is to protect and conserve the areas unique landscape, indigenous plant and animal life as well as important historical relics. At the same time, the Park is meant to allow visitors easier as well as improved opportunities to get to know the area. Driving on the Glacier is prohibited except with a permission from the park ranger.

When visiting Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a round tour is a good idea because this 90 km long circle comprises a world of diversity. On the northern side you will find friendly towns and villages, spectacular mountains and waterfalls, galleries and museums and much more.

Ondverdarnes is the westernmost point of Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The mountain Enni is 418 meters high Tuya mountain. There is a hiking trail up the mountain but along you can also walk to look at Ólafsvíkurfoss waterfall. An information sign is laid out at the western entrance to Ólafsvík, from where there is a "path or old path that can be followed all the way up to the waterfall edge.

Svöðufoss is a beautiful waterfall in the Hólmkelsá river. The waterfall is 10 meters high and falls off a beautiful basalt column cliff. a parking lot has been built near the waterfall so today it is fairly easy to visit and enjoy. The walk from the parking lot to the waterfall is only about half an hour.

Bjarnarfoss is a majestic waterfall that falls down a basalt cliff which was formed by the now extinct volcano Maelifell. The waterfall, along with the columnar rocks around it, is on the Nature Conservation Register. A car park is near the waterfall and a good walking path. In 2018, the tourist attraction at Bjarnarfoss received the Icelandic Tourist Board´s environmental awards.

Budir is a popular destination. The landscape consists of golden sand beaches, rugged lava field and great vegetation and bird life. Budahraun lava is a nature reserve. The little black church, Budakirkja, is located at Budir. People come from all around the world to seal their love at the church. Visitors also have an impressive view of the breathtaking Snaefellsjokull glacier from Budir.

Saxhóll Crater is located in the Snaefellsjokull National Park. It´s easy to climb and the view from the top is spectacular. A low-set metal stair follows the path´s course to the top. The stair is made up of modules three meters long and 1,5 meters wide that hold seven treads each between solid stingers with open risers. The units join together like a necklace on the slope. The stairs were awarded Rosa Barba International Landscape Prize 2018 which are the fourth awards the project achieves since 2017.

This former parsonage and estate between the villages Hellissandur and Rif was the common assembly site of the parish in the past.

The present church was built in 1903 and is the oldest concrete church of the country, perhaps even the world. When it was built, it received a replica of the altarpiece of the Lutheran Cathedral of Reykjavik.

Búlandshöfði falls steep into the sea. There you find strata from the first half of the ice age, hardened glacial rock and fossils of seashells. On top of the sea sediment with ice seashells and glacial till there is a clayey sedimentary layer with remnants of warm seashells that lava has flowed over during warm periods.

The little black church, Budakirkja Church is located at Budir on Snaefellsnes Peninsula. People come from around the world to seal their love at the church.

Grundarfjörður's beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists and seamen alike.

Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is 463 meters high and visible from all angles in town.Grundarfjörður is the ideal place to enjoy the amazing colours of the sunset behind the mountain.

Skálasnagaviti lighthouse

Kirkjufellsfoss is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland. It is located near Grundarfjörður at the northern side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland.

The river Kirkjufellsá runs down from the volcano Helgrindur and has three waterfalls in it, all called Kirkjufellsfoss.

In stark contrast to the majority of black sand beaches in Iceland, Skarðsvík resembles a Mediterranean shoreline with turquoise water and the surrounding dark, volcanic landscape. Be warned, the waves at Skarðsvík are renown for being aggressive. It is recommended to visit the beach at low-tide in order to ensure safety.

Near Gufuskalar on the uttermost part of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, there was one of the many winter fisher villages consistant in Iceland in former times.

If you come from Hellnar and look at the lava fields at your right, you may disover the ruins of some 200 very small stone buildings which were used to dry and stock the fish. Their age is estimated at 500-700 years.

It is a 10 minutes walk from the road to one of the ruins which is still in so good condition that you can crawl inside. There, to your surprise, you may find the ceiling high enough for an adult to stand upright.

A short and easy walk that suits most people. A short stretch of road is off the road just south of the Steam Cabin. There is good parking, right by the Irish well and from there walk to Gufuskálavör and back.